Hanger hook assembly for suspension file folders

ABSTRACT

The invention is concerned with suspension file folders having suspension hooks on its edges which may be slidably retracted into an ineffective position or readily removed therefrom.

United States Patent Inventor Edward W. Cooper Scarborough, Ontario, Canada 802,986

Feb. 27, 1969 Mar. 30, 1971 Gary Industries, Inc., d/b/a Acco Products Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee HANGER HOOK ASSEMBLY FOR SUSPENSION FILE FOLDERS 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 312/184 Int. Cl A47b 63/00 Field of Search 312/184;

40/(1nquired); 402/ (Inquired) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/ 1965 Zippel 5/1966 Vincens FOREIGN PATENTS 11/1967 GreatBritain 12/1966 Germany Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Att0rneyE1mer L. Zwickel ABSTRACT: The invention is concerned with suspension file folders having suspension hooks on its edges which may be slidably retracted into an ineffective position or readily removed therefrom.

PATENTED MAR30 19?:

SHEET 1 BF 2 Imren. or.

fdmm M500 er HANGER 1100K ASSEMBLY FOR SUSPENSION FILE FGLDERS The invention relates to improvements in suspension file folders and is more particularly concerned with a hanger hook assembly incorporating removable or retractable means for suspending the tile folder-from support rails. More particularly, the suspension means is carried on a fastener compressor that is used in conjunction with associated prong means to bind a plurality of loose sheets in the file folder. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the suspension means, which comprises detachable suspension hook elements, is telescopically slidable on the compressor so as to be moved manually into and out of positions of use, whereas in the other embodiment disclosed herein, the suspension hook elements are detachably secured to a connecting rod that is held in place by the fastener compressor.

Heretofore, as far as applicant is aware, hanger hooks have been attached rigidly or pivotally to the file folder per se, and thus are incapable of being readilydetached or slidably moved into an ineffective position.

ltis therefore an object of the invention to provide a suspension file folder of the character referred to.

Another object is to provide a suspension file folder with a compressor element having slide elements embracingly engaged thereon having integral hook like elements.

Another object is to provide novel suspension hook elements for a suspension file folder.

Another object is to provide a file folder with a compressor element having detachable hook elements associated therewith.

Another object is to provide a suspension file folder as sembly of the character referred to which is not expensive or difficult to manufacture and which is very efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

lN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suspension file folder embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the compressor having the suspension hook elements mounted thereon.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse view of the compressor and related folder parts, taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG-4 is a perspective view of one of the suspension hook elements shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another suspension file folder embodying a modified form of suspension hook element.

FM. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the compressor-hook assembly shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the compressor, taken substantially on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the suspension hook assembly shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FlG. l to 4, the structure of the present invention is shown associated with a file folder, generally indicated at 11, which comprises covers 12 and attached flaps 13 (FIG. 3), A stack of sheets 14 is arranged between the flaps 13 and is secured therebetween by bendable prongs 15 that pass through the sheets and flaps and are bent over the top face of the compressor l6. Suitable slide locks 17 on the compressor secure the prongs in bent down position.

The file folder is adapted to be suspended form hanger rails 18 (PEG. 1) and to this end a hanger hook element 19 is provided to project beyond the lateral edges of the file folder and engage over the rails. When no suspension is desired or required, the hanger hooks may be adjusted into positions within the said file folder edges.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be observed that the compressor 16 is fabricated from sheet materi- 21, such as thin metal, and it includes a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal upstanding ribs 21 which preferably have terminal flanges 22 directed outward ly-downwardly and terminating short of the plane of the bottom face of the compressor. These ribs define a longitudinal channel 23 between them in which the bent down prongs 15 lie and also define tracks upon which prong locks 17 are slidablle.

The compressor 16 also affords mounting means for the hanger hook elements 19, which preferably are fabricated from tough plastic material, such as nylon. As shown, one such element is provided adjacent each end of the compressor and each comprises a rectangular body 24 that overlies and bridges the ribs'21 and have downtumed end portions 25 that ride along the rib flanges 22. The end portions 25 terminate in wedge-shaped terminal portions 26 disposed on their inside faces. These wedge shaped portions 26 afford means for snapfitting the hanger hook elements onto and oh of the compressor.

Each hanger hook element has projecting from one end thereof an extension 27 formed on one edge with a substantially V-shaped notch 28. This extension is of a width less than the width of the body 24 so that end areas 250 of the body are exposed for the purpose of abutting against stop dimples 29 formed on the ends of the ribs 21 to prevent sliding of the hanger hook elements 19 off the ends of the compressor. The body 24 preferably is formed on its outside top and side faces with a corrugated surface 31 to facilitate finger engagement for manual sliding of the elements.

lt should be apparent that the hanger hook elements 19 may be shifted into the extended position shown at the right-hand side of P16. 2, or they may be retracted as shown at the lefthand end of said FIG. When extended, they may engage over the rails 18 for suspending the file folder as shown in FIG. 1, or they may be retracted to permit use of the folder without interference of the elements.

In some instances of use, the prong retaining slide locks 17 may be dispensed with and the hanger hook elements 19 may be used for this purpose.

In the embodiment of the suspension file folder assembly shown in F165. 5 through 8, the file: folder assembly is constructed as described hereinabove and like numbers are used to identify corresponding parts.

In this embodiment, the compressor element 16, which has longitudinal ribs 21 and downwardly outwardly extending flanges 22 has a different form of hanger hook elements associated therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 68, the hanger hook elements 51 are fabricated from suitable tough shape retaining plastic material and each consists of a substantially tubular body 52 open at one end and having integral with its other end a substantially flat plate 53. The plate 53 is formed on one edge with a substantially V-shaped notch 54 adapted to engage over rails 18 for suspending the file folder therefrom. The tubular body 52 is telescoped over the free end of a rod 55 that is arranged within one of the channels 56 formed on the underside of each compressor rib 21. The body extends into the channel 56 with the back end of the plate 53 in abutment with the compressor end. ln order to prevent misplacement or rotation of a hanger hook element 51, and to provide friction to resist withdrawal, the body 52 is, as best shown in FIG. 7, contoured to the contour of channel 56. When the use of the hanger elements is not required, or desired, they may be removed readily.

Although I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be: illustrative, rather than restrictive, as details of the structures may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

1 claim:

1. A hanger hook assembly for a suspension file folder comprising, in combination, an elongated straplike body, flanges on the longitudinal edges of said body substantially coextensive with its length, said flanges being; elevated from the plane of the body and having a cross-sectional configuration of an inverted V, and a pair of suspension hook elements detachably retained on said body by said flanges.

2. The assembly recited in claim 1, in which each hook element comprises a slider engaged over said flanges having a hook portion projecting from one edge of said slider.

3. The assembly recited in claim 2, in which the slider has carnlike end portions for detachable engagement beneath the flanges.

4. The assembly recited in claim 2, in which the slider bridges and overlies said flanges and has end portions yieldably engaged beneath said flanges.

5. The assembly recited in claim 2, in which the slider is seated on said flanges and has end portions yieldably engaged beneath said flanges, and the hook portion is disposed between said flanges.

6. The assembly recited in claim 2, in which the slider has wedge-shaped end portions to facilitate their engagement with and separation from the flanges 7. The assembly recited in claim 1, in which the straplike body has apertures adapted to receive associated prongs therethrough.

8. The assembly recited in claim l, in which the flanges have stops to prevent movement of the suspension hook elements off the ends of said flanges.

Q The assembly recited in claim 1, in which the hook ele ments are telescoped beneath one of the flanges at the ends thereof.

10. The assembly recited in claim 9, in which a rod underlying said one flange receives the hook elements in connection therewith. 

1. A hanger hook assembly for a suspension file folder comprising, in combination, an elongated straplike body, flanges on the longitudinal edges of said body substantially coextensive with its length, said flanges being elevated from the plane of the body and having a cross-sectional configuration of an inverted V, and a pair of suspension hook elements detachably retained on said body by said flanges.
 2. The assembly recited in claim 1, in which each hook element comprises a slider engaged over said flanges having a hook portion projecting from one edge of said slider.
 3. The assembly recited in claim 2, in which the slider has camlike end portions for detachable engagement beneath the flanges.
 4. The assembly recited in claim 2, in which the slider bridges and overlies said flanges and has end portions yieldably engaged beneath said flanges.
 5. The assembly recited in claim 2, in which the slider is seated on said flanges and has end portions yieldably engaged beneath said flanges, and the hook portion is disposed between said flanges.
 6. The assembly recited in claim 2, in which the slider has wedge-shaped end portions to facilitate their engagement with and separation from the flanges.
 7. The assembly recited in claim 1, in which the straplike body has apertures adapted to receive associated prongs therethrough.
 8. The assembly recited in claim 1, in which the flanges have stops to prevent movement of the suspension hook elements off the ends of said flanges.
 9. The assembly recited in claim 1, in which the hook elements are telescoped beneath one of the flanges at the ends thereof.
 10. The assembly recited in claim 9, in which a rod underlying said one flange receives the hook elements in connection therewith. 